Surge in political merchandise business ahead of Lok Sabha elections
As India gears up for the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections starting April 19, a significant rise in the business of political merchandise is being observed. With nearly a billion voters, demand for election-related items such as flags and banners has surged. This increase has led to an expansion in operations by flag manufacturers and garment makers repurposing their factories for creating election merchandise.
Factories shift focus to meet election merchandise demand
Factory owner Mukesh Agarwal from Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, revealed that around 40 factories in the region have shifted their focus to meet the rising demand for political merchandise. He emphasized the importance of banners and flags in political campaigns, calling them "the cheapest and best items used for political campaigns." Some factories have even ramped up their production capacity to churn out "a million flags a day" if required.
Election merchandise: A low-margin, high-volume business
The business of election merchandise operates on a low-margin, high-volume model. Party badges are priced as low as ₹1, making them accessible to party workers who use flags to promote their symbols. This industry not only boosts the economy but also plays a pivotal role in political campaigns, especially considering the low literacy levels among many individuals.
Election spending boosts Indian economy and job market
The Indian economy experiences a lift during election seasons due to the expenditure by political parties on various goods and services. Gulshan Khurana, general secretary of a traders association in Delhi's Sadar Bazar market, disclosed that "political parties spend between ₹30,000 lakh to ₹50,000 lakh on election merchandise." This expenditure generates up to 10 million jobs.
Voting for LS polls in 7 phases
The stage is set for a high-stakes political battle, in which the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance is seeking a third term, while the opposition parties led by the Congress have come together under the banner—Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance—as a united front against the saffron party. The voting for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls will take place in seven phases starting from April 19 and ending on June 1. The results will be declared on June 4.
